The Western North Carolina Epilepsy Association, Catawba County Government, and Catawba County Schools are working together on a new initiative, Catawba County HOPE (Help our People Eat).
With the flailing economy, loss of jobs, and increased need for services (such as Food Stamps), Christine Cofer, Director/Founder of the WNC Epilepsy Association, realized that a great deal of food could be provided to those in need through large community gardens. Hickory Soup Kitchen will be a recipient of the vegetables grown in the gardens.
Catawba County Government is allowing two pieces of land that are is not being utilized to be used for gleaning gardens . One is near the Government Center and the other on the old St. Stephens Elementary School site on Springs Road.
Volunteer help is needed. We ask that you advertize this project to your church, coworkers, family, and friends.
We are calculating that an individual would only be requested to give 3-4 hours once or twice a week. It has also been discussed that the hours requested will be Monday - Friday evenings after working hours (5p.m.- 8p.m. or so) when it is cooling off, and Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
If enough individuals volunteer, each individual will only be requested to serve every 5 weeks or so. Mornings could become a possibility as well depending on the volume of interest. Volunteers will be given the opportunity, if desired, to take an adequate bag of vegetables home in return for their community service. We also see this as a great opportunity for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are experiencing unemployment and/or on a tight budget.
Of course, the weather will determine the date of when we will begin preparing the plots and planting the gardens. The sooner we have an approximate number of individuals willing to volunteer, the better. Any interested individuals are requested to contact Christine Cofer (828-312-8298) so that we can know what manpower will be available for the project. We hope you and the members of your church will acknowledge the need, understand the benefits, and agree to participate in making this project a reality.
What a great opportunity for parents to teach children about gardening and giving back to the community! Adults who have down-sized and have no space for a garden would be welcomed to come and share your gardening expertise.
Thank you in advance for your time and effort on behalf of those in need in Catawba County.
With the flailing economy, loss of jobs, and increased need for services (such as Food Stamps), Christine Cofer, Director/Founder of the WNC Epilepsy Association, realized that a great deal of food could be provided to those in need through large community gardens. Hickory Soup Kitchen will be a recipient of the vegetables grown in the gardens.
Catawba County Government is allowing two pieces of land that are is not being utilized to be used for gleaning gardens . One is near the Government Center and the other on the old St. Stephens Elementary School site on Springs Road.
Volunteer help is needed. We ask that you advertize this project to your church, coworkers, family, and friends.
We are calculating that an individual would only be requested to give 3-4 hours once or twice a week. It has also been discussed that the hours requested will be Monday - Friday evenings after working hours (5p.m.- 8p.m. or so) when it is cooling off, and Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
If enough individuals volunteer, each individual will only be requested to serve every 5 weeks or so. Mornings could become a possibility as well depending on the volume of interest. Volunteers will be given the opportunity, if desired, to take an adequate bag of vegetables home in return for their community service. We also see this as a great opportunity for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are experiencing unemployment and/or on a tight budget.
Of course, the weather will determine the date of when we will begin preparing the plots and planting the gardens. The sooner we have an approximate number of individuals willing to volunteer, the better. Any interested individuals are requested to contact Christine Cofer (828-312-8298) so that we can know what manpower will be available for the project. We hope you and the members of your church will acknowledge the need, understand the benefits, and agree to participate in making this project a reality.
What a great opportunity for parents to teach children about gardening and giving back to the community! Adults who have down-sized and have no space for a garden would be welcomed to come and share your gardening expertise.
Thank you in advance for your time and effort on behalf of those in need in Catawba County.
